The blackish oystercatcher is a species of wading bird in the oystercatcher family Haematopodidae. It is found in Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands and Peru, and is a vagrant to Uruguay. The population is estimated at 15,000–80,000.
Region
Southern Pacific and Southwest Atlantic coasts of South America
Typical Environment
Occurs along rocky shorelines from central Peru down the Chilean coast around Cape Horn, and northward along the Patagonian coasts of Argentina, including the Falkland Islands; a rare vagrant to Uruguay. Prefers exposed intertidal zones with boulders, bedrock platforms, and offshore islets. Often forages around kelp beds and tide pools at low tide. Nests just above the high-tide line on sparsely vegetated shingle, gravel, or rock.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The blackish oystercatcher is a dark-plumaged shorebird specialized for life on wave-battered rocky coasts. It pries open or hammers at mollusks with a strong, chisel-like bill. Pairs often defend feeding and nesting territories year-round, performing loud display duets. It is sometimes confused with the American black oystercatcher but occurs in South America and lacks white in the wings.
Temperament
wary and territorial on breeding grounds
Flight Pattern
strong direct flight with rapid wingbeats, often low over surf
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small family groups; pairs maintain long-term territories that include feeding areas. Nests are shallow scrapes on gravel or rock, usually with 2–3 eggs. Outside breeding, small roosting aggregations may form on safe rocks or islets.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal, with loud piping whistles and sharp ‘kleep’ notes, especially during territorial displays. Pairs often duet in excited, accelerating series while bowing or running.
Plumage
Uniform sooty-black to blackish-brown, slightly browner on the back; juveniles can show faint scaling or wear.
Diet
Feeds mainly on intertidal mollusks such as mussels, limpets, and chitons, and also takes crabs and marine worms. Uses its bill to pry, stab, or hammer open shells, exploiting weaknesses along the hinge. Foraging is closely tied to tidal cycles, concentrating effort when prey is exposed.
Preferred Environment
Wave-washed rocky shores, tide pools, boulder fields, and bedrock platforms; also around kelp beds at very low tide. Rarely uses sandy beaches except for passage or roosting near rocky outcrops.
